ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1995, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, December 14, 1995 TAG: 9512140070
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-16 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: talking it over
To the editor:
I CAN'T think of a more suitable person than President Clinton to lead our troops into Bosnia. As commander in chief of the armed forces, what could be more appropriate for the occasion, a fitting Christmas gift for our troops?
Dare we look at this politically? The president would immediately become the perfect role model in the public's eyes, which would energize those troops destined to follow. This would greatly enhance his chances for a second term, despite his low popularity ratings among the masses.
He callously is willing to trade American lives for a possible re-election victory. Also, it would make up for his naughty behavior as an anti-war activist during the Vietnam years, when his chief talent lay in how best to avoid the draft.
Clinton wasn't nicknamed ``Slick Willie'' for nothing. He believes in being master at fooling the people all of the time.
However, this Bosnia affair might well turn out to be his Waterloo.
The majority of Americans are against the Bosnia operation. Yet the president is still going ahead with it. This is government by the people?
WILLIAM VASSALLO
ROANOKE
Our Reply:
PUBLIC-OPINION polls appear to back up William Vassallo's point that the decision to deploy U.S. troops in Bosnia is opposed by a majority of citizens. Many others have reservations about the operation without opposing it.
We would agree it's important for both groups to keep a skeptically watchful eye on Bosnia, and to call policy-makers to account for consequences of the action. We also agree that putting Americans in harm's way simply for political reasons would be irresponsible, to say the least.
But that's where we have trouble with Vassallo's argument. On the one hand, he contends that the president's motive is to boost his re-election chances. On the other hand, he observes that the decision is opposed by most Americans.
Making an unpopular decision (with a good chance it could blow up in his face) is the way to increase political popularity? Isn't it more plausible that, if political calculations had governed the situation, the president would have decided not to send troops to Bosnia?
The last word:
DESPITE endangering his political career, and based on a poor record since the election, President Clinton is willing to gamble all to retrieve his lost popularity with the American people. He knows this is vitally important in seeking a second term. Decisive actions such as in Bosnia could well turn it into reality.
Clinton's recent Haiti excursion ran smoothly enough to boost his image and may have prompted him to try again. Like any gambler, he looks at this as a golden opportunity that will never again emerge in the short time left, and he must strike while the iron is hot. After all, his life is not in danger - unlike the soldiers, many of whom may not return.
Also, he is counting heavily on a cooperative press, including the three major TV networks - consistent allies during his presidency - to make him look good at every opportunity. Despite the Whitewater albatross around Clinton's neck and his failed attempt to sell socialized medicine to the pubic, big media have never abandoned him. As a seasoned politician, Clinton knows that favorable coverage can spell success or failure at the polls in a close contest.
Always considered a wimp in foreign affairs, Clinton sees Bosnia as a way of redeeming himself before the public. Slick Willie firmly believes he can pull this off, and possibly will - unless a restart of hostilities torpedoes his dream of infallibility.
In short, his bureaucratic ego is so strong, he thinks he can beat the odds.
William Vassallo of Roanoke is a retired contractor engineer.
EDITOR'S NOTE: "Talking It Over" is an occasional feature of the Opinion page. Published here, like a brief conversation, is: (1) a letter to the editor we've chosen to highlight, (2) a reply by the newspaper, (3) the letter-writer's summing-up response to our reply.
LENGTH: Medium: 82 linesby CNB